Court System
Can foster parents attend court hearings?
Yes. According to the Adoption and Safe Families Act, Foster parents must be notified by DCS of reviews and hearings related to children in their care. However, foster parents are not required to attend or participate, unless called upon as a witness.
What does CMDP stand for? What is it?
Comprehensive Medical and Dental Program. It it the medical insurance for all children in Foster Care.
What does RBHA stand for? What is the name of the RBHA in Maricopa County?
Regional Behavioral Health Authority
Mercy Maricopa
Ture or False?
Children in foster care have the lowest levels of achievement on statewide academic reading and mathematics testing than any other subgroup, including children with low socio-economic status, English language learners, and students with disabilities
TRUE
You are taking a child to a doctor's appointment. What documents do you need to bring with you?
The Notice to Provider form, the child's CMDP Member ID card, and your own personal identification.
What does GAL stand for and what is their role?
Gardian Ad Litem. A Gal is an attorney appointed by the court to protect the child's best interest. The GAL, or a GAL representative should have contact with you before major court hearings.
Are foster parents responsible for any fees or co-pays under CMDP?
No.
However, check to make sure your provider accepts CMDP before taking a child in. Most providers do accept CMDP. Furthermore, check before any major service, or before seeing a specialist, to ensure that CMDP covers the expense. For example, some services, such as braces and circumcisions, are not included under CMDP (unless deemed medically necessary by a doctor).
What is a CFT Meeting? Who attends CFT meetings?
Child Family Team Meeting. Involves child (if age appropriate), foster parent, behavioral health case manager, DCS Specialist, and primary/biological family. CFT meetings address the behavioral health issues affecting foster children.
What demographic does AzEIP (Arizona Early Intervention Program) serve?
Children ages birth-3 with disabilities or developmental delays
You have just taken a child into Urgent Care or the Emergency Room. What do you need to do within 24 hours?
Notify your licensing worker and the DCSS and complete a Significant Incident Report.
What are Foster Care Review Board Meetings? How often do they occur?
FCRB meetings occur every six months while a child remains in foster care. The FCRB consists of community members who are appointed by the dependency court Judge in each county. The purpose of the meeting is to review a case in order to make recommendations to the court. Meetings may be attended by FCRB members, DCS Specialist, parents, child, attorneys, service providers, and foster parents.
What are the REQUIRED health care screenings (3) for foster children, and when must they take place?
SERVICE | WHO | WHEN |
Initial Health Care Screening | All children who enter the care/custody of DCS | Within 7 calendar days of placement |
Well-Child Check-Up Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) | All children ages 2 through 20 years old | Schedule within 2 weeks of placement. Appointment must occur within 30 calendar days of placement and every year thereafter. |
All children birth to 2 years old | Children should receive a total of 11 well child check-ups by the age of 2 years | |
Dental Examination | All children age 1 year and older | Schedule within 2 weeks of placement. Appointment must occur within 30 calendar days of placement and every 6 months thereafter. |
Therapy, behavioral management, crisis services, evaluation and screening, inpatient facilities, CFT meetings
How soon are school-aged children expected to be enrolled in school after placement?
Within 5 days of the date of placement
Your child is prescribed a medication for ADHD. What will you use to pay for the prescription at the pharmacy?
You will need the child's RBHA ID number. If you do not have this number, you can contact Mercy Maricopa, or seek help from your licensing worker. CMDP does not cover behavioral health prescriptions. The RBHA is responsible for payment of these medications.
When do permanency planning hearings take place?
Within 12 months of the child’s removal from the home, or if the child is under the age of three, within six months of the child’s removal from the home.
What services can foster parents NOT authorize (you need DCS to sign for these events).
General anesthesia
Surgery
Clinical trials, including clinical trials for HIV/AIDS treatment
Blood transfusions
Abortions or abortion related treatments
How soon should Rapid Response do an initial in-home assessment after DCS removes a child?
RR should do an initial in-home assessment within 72 hours of the RR referral (which should be submitted within 24 hours of removal).
When is the birth or adoptive parent the IDEA parent?
When the biological or adoptive parent is “attempting to act” as the parent, the school district must treat the birth or adoptive parent as the IDEA parent UNLESS a court has decided that the parent doesn’t have legal authority to make education decisions for the child
Your child is in crisis and you do not know how to respond. What do you do?
Call the crisis hotline (DCS and/or Mercy Maricopa)
Call the police if there is potential immediate harm to self or others
Call your licensing worker
Call the DCSS
Complete an IR within 24 hours
What does ICWA stand for? What is the intent of the law? What might be different about an ICWA case?
Indian Child Welfare Act. The intent of the law was to “protect the best interest of American Indian children and to promote the stability and security of American Indian tribes and families."
Potential Differences: Tribe may be involved in the case. The case may be transferred to a tribal court. DCS must give preference to an extended family member or a foster home approved by an Indian tribe.
What are the expectations for foster parents regarding medical and dental care for foster children? (List at least 5)
- Always list DCS/CMDP as the responsible party for submitting claims
- Carry the CMDP ID Card (or Notice of Provider form) at all times
- Arrive for appointments on time (CMDP cannot pay for missed or no-show appointment)
- Work with CMDP, the DCS Specialist, the Primary Care Physician (PCP), and the Primary Dental Provider (PDP) to make certain the foster child is receiving the best care possible
- Notify CMDP within 30 days of placement with the child’s PCP and PDP
- Schedule appointments with the doctor during office hours whenever possible, before using urgent or emergency care
- Notify the DCS Specialist and the child’s PCP when the child receives urgent or emergency care
- Follow prescribed treatment instructions and guidelines
- Make and keep regular appointments for the foster child. Schedule appointments outside of school hours when possible.
- Ensure that the child has all shots and exams appropriate to the child’s age and health
- Inform the DCS Specialist if the foster child has any special health care needs. This includes, but is not limited to, pregnancy, chronic asthma and diabetes
- Keep a record of the foster child’s shots and medications
- Be an advocate for the foster child by ensuring that each of their health care needs are met
What does "Jacob's Law" do?
Jacob's Law sets specific timelines for the RBHAs to provide behavioral health services to children in foster care and empowers foster parents to access services if timeline are not met.